STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1504-14

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

 

RE:   S.B. No. 2300

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 2300, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Authorize the State Fire Council to set minimum certification requirements for individuals, operators, and contractors performing maintenance testing of portable fire extinguishers, fire protection systems, and fire alarm systems;

 

     (2)  Base the certifications on the adopted state fire code and standards;

 

     (3)  Recognize the certifications through the State; and

 

     (4)  Authorize the State Fire Council to implement statewide fire and emergency responder memoranda of understanding and agreements for the effective use of fire and life safety resources.

 

     The State Fire Council; Honolulu Fire Department; and Maui Fire Department supported this measure.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Clarifying that the statewide qualifications and procedures for testing, certifying, and credentialing individuals who perform maintenance and testing of portable fire extinguishers and fire protection and alarm systems are administered by the county fire departments, who may establish and charge reasonable certification fees;

 

     (2)  Changing "fire and emergency responder memoranda of understanding and agreements" to a "statewide system" and specifying the services and facilities included in "fire and life safety resources";

 

     (3)  Allowing the State Fire Council to adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

 

     (4)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2112, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (5)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments, including the addition of a purpose and findings section, for clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     Your Committee notes that the amendments proposed to section 132-16(c)(4), Hawaii Revised Statutes, relating to the functions of the State Fire Council, are not intended to act as a mandate for homeowners to install fire sprinklers in their homes.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2300, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2300, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair